Colston quietly makes history for the Saints

Posted by Mike Florio on September 11, 2013, 12:11 PM EDT

AP

In football, the receiver position historically has either attracted or created guys who crave attention. There are plenty of exceptions, but since they neither attract nor crave attention we often don’t know who they are.

One of those guys is Saints receiver Marques Colston. Against the Falcons on Sunday, he became the leading receiver in franchise history with a touchdown reception in the first half.

So what happened when Colston made his 533rd career reception? As explained by Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times Picayune, Colston simply pointed to the sky and then retrieved the ball.

After the game, Colston was handed a game ball. But there was no other fanfare. While some receivers would have assumed the “hurt bunny” demeanor if the game hadn’t been stopped for the appropriate showering of praise, that’s not Colston.

It holds back guys like Colston, because we tend to pay attention to the guys who seek it. In this case, we’re paying attention to Colston even though he doesn’t.

41 responses to “Colston quietly makes history for the Saints”

It’s unbelievable this guy has never been to a pro bowl… Since his rookie year in 2006 he has done nothing but put up 1,000 yard seasons except one that he missed about 5 games and still had over 900 yards receiving.

Just because a guy seeks attention doesn’t mean we have to give it to them. I get that the more sensational news is what sells but every now and then I wish we could spend a little more time on the Marques Colstons and Heath Millers of the world – guys who just go out, do their job and do it well, all with little to no fanfare.

Colston is awesome. He gets fewer catches than other #1 receivers(never caught 100 balls in a season) because of how well the offense spreads the ball around but he never complains, just goes out and makes plays especially on 3rd down where Brees loves to go to him. Totally underrated outside N.O.

Guys like Colston remind me that there is still a little bit of humility and dignity in the world for those few who can appreciate it. Then there are the types who cater to the majority, who see pulling a Sharpie out of one’s sock as quality, high class entertainment. Everything is in perfect balance.

Svc85 yeah I def agree. The probowl has been a joke for some years now. The fact that Derek Anderson was in one should say something. I honestly think they should go back to the skills competitions. Those were fun to watch and it might persuade some of those tom Brady like players who get voted in every year and not go to actually attend it.

Maybe one reason why he isn’t the typical diva WR is that he started out as a TE, and converted to WR when he was drafted. But he’s kept that team-first mentality all throughout.

Some of the pundits don’t consider him a “true” #1 receiver because, they say, his numbers aren’t that impressive given how many passes Drew Brees throws and completes. (Apparently he’s only ever once caught 20% of his team’s receptions.) But the numbers speak for themselves. Other guys come and go, but he’s there year in, year out, 70+ catches, 1000+ yards, 7+ touchdowns.

The Pro Bowl might not want him, but there isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t grab him in a heartbeat if he came available.

Colston is super consistent, a workman. He does his work without drama, without fanfare, no prima donna. He is a team player, and a fine man. He handles his life, the way he handles his business on the field. A good asset to the Saints and New Orleans.

But there’s a much more proven receiver in Andre Johnson who is just as if not more quiet when it comes to bragging or showboating. And he’s from THE U of all places where you think you’d get a big showboat player.

Bottom line is, Colston’s abilities are IN PART under appreciated because he’s quiet. But also in part due to the fact he had a lot of trouble staying healthy and being on the field for a full season. And his QB really is good enough that he has plenty of other options and used them effectively.

If Colston played with a worse QB who couldn’t make progressions and only threw to his first target… He ‘d probably have better individual stats.

I hope Marques Colston reads PFT, because I would like to tell him what a great example he has set for young high school and college players. In an era full of clowns with a “Hey look at me” mentality, he is proof positive that you don’t have to be a selfish divan to be a great player.

Maybe he should jump to the AFC where he’d only have Andre Johnson and AJ Green to beat.”
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How about he stays in the NFC and makes another run at a title? Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Brandon Marshall all have ZERO rings. Colston beat them all where it really matters.

Why don’t we ask Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant, Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Brandon marshall if they would rather go to the pro bowl or have a championship ring? I’d take a team full of Colstons over a team full of Brandon Marshalls or Roddy Whites any day of the week.

First, Colston’s numbers are impressive. But, when you look at the numbers, even in this era of passing, NO ONE is anywhere close to Rice’s record. Gonzalez, second on the list, playing for as long as he has and having only missed TWO games, is still 300 receptions behind.

But where is the story that when Andre Johnson caught 10 plus catches on MNF he became the league leader with 19, 10 plus catch games and all he did was walk back to the huddle to get ready for the next play?